Trader's graft allegation under scanner, sub-inspector shunted

KOLKATA: A sub-inspector has been shunted for allegedly asking for bribe from a Haridevpur businessman who had undertaken construction work "illegally" at his residence in Purba Putiary. Decision on another sub-inspector is pending.

Tapan Guha Roy, the businessman, alleged that three of his construction workers were picked up by the police and thrashed at Haridevpur police station. After policemen failed to act on his complaint, Roy reportedly approached industries minister Partha Chatterjee and mayor Sovan Chatterjee with his problem. He claimed that the leaders had "promised to look into the matter". TOI could not independently verify his claims.

While SI Amit Mukhopadhyay has been transferred and decision on SI Deen Dayal is yet to be taken, senior divisional officers maintained that the duo was "not at fault". "When we saw three labourers emptying a truck full of sand, we detained them initially and registered a minor case against them but, we have neither asked for money nor threatened anyone," said one of them.

However, an officer at Lalbazar said, "The SI has been shunted for a proper probe. We are investigating the allegation."

Meanwhile, Roy has given details of how he was threatened by the police. "We were asked to pay Rs 20,000. Two men on bikes, who regularly move in the area with video cameras, record each construction work and demand money accordingly. Even my wife was threatened. I was called to the police station twice over phone without being served a notice," Roy added.

Ratna Sur, councillor of the area, said that the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) will investigate into the matter. "The police should have informed us if there was any illegal construction in the area. After all, it is the KMC that has the authority to impose a fine on any illegal construction," she said.